September Update - Content Reveal

With the September Update launching on 18 September, we will be streaming live on 12 September, bringing you all the latest and greatest news about our next update.

As always, we'll be joined by Executive Producer Adam Woods, who will be running us through the new starter experience, livery system and how the new ARX system works.

[marcbsounds]

I know it's basically a loading screen but considering the time people spend jumping from star systems in this game, can you please add a little bit of variation to the hyperspace tunnel

[SIX-SHTR]

Would still appreciate per-ship customisation of hud-colors

[bungholio]

Starter tutorials for a 5 year old game. Awesome!

[ArakiSatoshi]

Content reveal stream with almost only new tutorial? I don't really want to say it, but what a shame...

[AS-xffw]

It's cool that they made an advanced tutorial but, for me and it's my opinion, when I started elite, the thing that I love is that you learn how to flight a space ship by yourself and it was great ! I felt like it was a challenge to fly a complex ship with no one telling you what to do.

[GalacticAstroparticles]

So, now, almost 5 years after release, when almost everyone still playing the game is not a new player, FD spent an entire "content reveal" stream for a new update for a feature aimed at (the very few) new players...

Let's hope something big (and actual content) is coming in 2020.

[kuro_neko]

A few comments regarding this:

Regarding the new newbie training. While I personally didn't have much trouble learning the ins and outs, I have a lot of experience with games in general, sci fi in general, and flight sims in particular, I can definitely see how that will help lower the barrier to entry for complete newcomers. Well done.

That said, you redesigned the throttle because you noticed players were getting confused on whether they were going forward or backward... You do realize there are five other axes of movement in space right? How about a velocity indicator that displays all six axes?

Speaking of the newbie training (and multiple axes), could you please re-purpose that flight course as an advanced training course for FA off flying? It looks like it would be quite good for that and being able to access it from the main menu like the rest of the training means those of us who wish to practice don't have to go out of our way to find places to train. It should be really easy to re-purpose, just launch the training facing the course, cut the radio chatter, turn FA off by default (but allow re-enabling it for those who want to ease into it), enable boost from the start, and maybe add a track clock (so we can work on doing it faster and beating our own and others times).

Premium currency is... not great. It's a mildly scummy way to both divorce the player from the real world cost of what they're buying and also a way to milk more money. If I buy a bunch of arx and then three weeks later something shows up in the store I like the look of, I'll look at the price and see x amount of arx and not really have any idea of the actual cost, which in many cases might cause me to spend more then I would otherwise if I knew the dollar amount. And if I want an item that only costs the equivalent of $2 but the smallest premium currency pack is $10, then I'm effectively being forced to pay $10 for that $2 item.

On the positive side, I am continually appreciative that you keep the mtx to cosmetic only. And the splitting up of packs is a great addition, provided you don't use that in conjunction with the premium currency to jack up the prices.

Another note on the premium currency. You said we'd get 400 arx a week in-game, but gave no indication of the actual buying power of the arx. If a paint job costs 40 arx then 400 a week is amazing, but if it costs 400, 000 arx then it's considerably less amazing.

In conclusion, I don't want to come off as negative or unappreciative. I do love this game, and I do appreciate all the work you've put into not only continuing to maintain it but also to update it. All in all I think you're doing a good job and hope you keep at it for many years to come.

[davidwhitlatch]

Really like the update I hope devs keep innovating and updating this game to keep it engaging, interesting, and gives veteran (and new!) players something new.

[cmdr.StefanOS]

to which audience is this video aimed for? 99% of the current players will fall asleep after 5 minutes (because I think most viewers are active players)... Do you expect new players to look at this to start ED now?
2. main unanswered question - where will all the new cmdr's are coming from? I mean all these work isnt for the ones who are playing ED China maybe? Or is this aimed to player that did buy ED but never managed to go beyond a sidewinder, maybe?
Also it was said that the quality - resolution of the paint jobs will be upgraded.... nothing was shown.... at least this would be nice to see for ALL the players...but nope, no info on that...

[attackstory]

People are so cynical - these are great quality of life updates. Tons of players tried this game and left because of the learning curve. I applaud these developers for making this more accessible to start... really great game and thanks to Frontier for continuing to improve on it.

[EricLidiak]

Can you remove the added slots and make the SC assist and docking assist built-in? It's silly that in the 33rd century, those things aren't just included in our purchase?

[Slewra]

Thank you for this! I stopped playing over three years ago and when I came back had completely forgotten how to play. Going through the training was a great help! Nice work!

[sethiest]

For me its all about that preview in the ARX store. Finally! Now I can see my ship from all the angles when viewing the cosmetics!

[achillesa]

This makes me think they're planning to attract a lot of new players with the 2020 update. Otherwise they wouldn't be investing in a new tutorial for a game that gets very few new players right now. I am cautiously optimistic.

[styloyt]

This is awesome. All these changes look incredible. And free Arks will definitely make me play the game more! AND all the content and QoL updates are free! Gotta buy some merch to support you.

[Ignition]

Flying tutorial for a 5 year old game, LOL the development of the game is truly glacial

[jasoncowley]

Free cosmetics for simply playing the game?
Can't complain about that.

[TheJCFan]

New tutorial system in anticipation of the massive wave of NMS players when ED finally introduces space legs (ship legs included) and atmospheric landings? One can only hope

[technoviking]

I know this doesnt bother pc players but since the lighting update on ps4 the fps is really unstable please look in to this fdev thanks

[exiletsj]

Frontier “it’s definitely needed but embarrassingly late” Developments. I look forward to the now yearly, actual content update in December.